Electric Picnic 2022: Friday Recap

Making a long-awaited return to Stradbally, approximately 60,000 festival goers flocked to the first day of Electric Picnic 2022. With an incredible day one line-up, we were spoiled for choice with acts between the Main Stage, Electric Arena, Rankin's Wood, and more.

Here's the recap of what went down:

Denise Chaila

Denise Chaila at Electric Picnic 2022. Copyright Liam Murphy.

Opening the main stage of Electric Picnic 2022, the rapper welcomed thousands of fans back to Stradbally, kicking off the main stage action with a sensational set - kicking off EP the right way. The crowd interaction was incredible with Denise waving at individual fans, dancing with the crowd, and taking the time to teach Picnickers the lyrics to different tracks. Accompanied by the narolane squad: God Knows, MuRli and DJ CC, an air of excitement from the group was palpable.

Performing incredible tracks such as 'Might Be', 'All That', 'Anseo', 'Chaila' and '061', this was a set not to be missed. Dressed in a magnificent tulle dress and corset, face bedazzled with pearls, accompanied by a golden crown, Chaila lit up the sizeable Stradbally stage, acknowledging what an honour it was to open the weekend.

Glass Animals

Dave Bayley of Glass Animals at Electric Picnic 2022. Copyright Liam Murphy.

As the sun set over the crowd, Glass Animals made their captivating appearance on the Electric Picnic Main Stage. The band kept their set short but sweet. The setlist pulled from all their albums, such as 'Life Itself', 'Youth' and 'The Other Side of Paradise' from 2016's How To Be a Human, along with Dreamland songs 'Space Ghost Coast to Coast', 'Tangerine', 'Your Love (Déjà Vu)', and 'Tokyo Drifting'.

The delight on lead singer Dave Bayley’s face as he watched the crowd grow before the band’s eyes was plain to see. He spent the entire set immersing himself in said crowd, serenading a baby near the front and covering almost every inch of the stage dancing about - a spectacular live performance, beyond doubt.

WILLOW

WILLOW at EP 2022, copyright Miguel Ruiz/hotpress.com

Gracing the Electric Arena Stage, American musician WILLOW delivered a delightfully passionate performance. She bowed down to the audience in gratitude for their cheers and love after opening with 't r a n s p a r e n t s o u l'. The 21-year-old has the stage presence of a veteran, appearing both incredibly confident and thrilled to be on stage.

Taking many a dance break between songs, WILLOW dropped down to the ground at times in passion throughout her set. Her and guitarist Liso Lee jammed out together, as Lee whipped her hair all around while shredding the guitar on her knees. WILLOW is a stand out act, and easily distinguishable from her star-studded family.

Little Simz

Little Simz at Electric Picnic. Copyright: Liam Murphy/hotpress.com

London rapper Little Simz brought the heat in the Rankin's Wood tent on day one of Electric Picnic, seamlessly weaving cutting-edge sounds with old school soul. Zipped up in a pointed hoodie, the North London rapper commanded the crowd with her fluid rapping, bringing everyone beneath the tent together with set opener ‘Introvert'. The rich grime layers were brought to life in vivid aural colour by her live band, while Sims flowed effortlessly — and breathlessly — through wittily crafted rhymes.

Her songs flowed from one to the next without hesitation, even when jumping from her wide-ranging new sound to the discography of her early years. Simz topped off the night with the spitfire crowd pleaser ‘Venom,’ reminding us all of her vocal prowess one last, lasting time.

Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion at EP, copyright Miguel Ruiz/hotpress.com

Emerging onto the Main Stage as the second last act of the night, Megan Thee Stallion donned a dramatical and fabulous sequined bodysuit and flawless long hair, announcing "I came here to party tonight." The Texan rapper returned to Ireland once again, fresh off her Longitude headline spot to headline EP, as 'Hot Girl Summer' comes to a close.

Informing the crowd that there's "nothing more important than my ass," the rapper demanded everyone "turn up" for her. Performing crowd favourites 'NDA', 'Simon Says', 'Her', 'WAP', 'Body', and 'Savage', Megan made time for her adoring fans, even bringing a few lucky "hotties" up on the stage to dance. Closing her set, Thee Stallion made a graceful exit, but not before declaring: "If you still don't know about me - ask your boo about me."

Pixies

Pixies at Electric Picnic, September 2022. Copyright Laura Klepeisz/hotpress.com

You'd be forgiven for mistaking Pixies' set in the Electric Arena last night for a headline stadium performance. Opening with 'Gouge Away' to raucous cheers, they launched straight into a stunning, if a little perfunctory, set to a crowd hungry for it and more.

Responding to their audience's enthusiasm the iconic band made sure to include world-famous tracks 'Where Is My Mind', 'Here Comes Your Man', and 'Debaser'. Despite minimal interaction with their audience, the Electric Arena tent was heaving with every possible age group. Members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, Paz Lenchantin and David Lovering proved last night that they still are one of the greatest rock bands still around.

Fontaines D.C.

Fontaines D.C. at Electric Picnic 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

By far the most eagerly anticipated act of Friday night’s line-up, Fontaines D.C. shut down the Electric Arena Stage, both literally and figuratively, from 10.45pm. Crowds poured towards the arena, with thousands upon thousands excitedly waiting for the Dublin group to grace the stage. Thunderous applause echoed around the tent as the band entered the stage, opening with a quick hello to the crowd, the five-piece launched straight into their opening track ‘Lucid Dream’.

The sizeable crowd attending made the gig feel more like a headline performance than a small part of an immense line-up, however, the Dublin musicians gave the show a more intimate feel than I imagined possible. The Electric Arena was perfect for this band, delicately cocooning their massive sound produced and filling the tent to the brim. It's clear these boys are at the absolute top of their game, not long off headlining the bill.

Dermot Kennedy

Dermot Kennedy live at Electric Picnic. Copyright: Liam Murphy/hotpress.com

At the centre of the beautiful Electric Picnic madness, the Main Stage basked in the giddy anticipation of Dermot Kennedy’s long-awaited headline performance. The Dubliner cascaded onstage to rupturing applause so overpowering, he was left speechless. Standing alone before the massive audience, Kennedy commands attention without trying from the second he saddles up with an acoustic guitar.

Performing well-known tracks like 'Better Days', 'Rome', and 'Someone to Someone', Kennedy is a hybrid talent, his voice dipping into hip-hop richness as easily as grizzly growls. It was hauntingly beautiful to witness Dermot's set, the crowd uniting as one to close the magical first day of Electric Picnic 2022.

Things will be heating up in the Hot Press Chatroom across the weekend, as we talk to an exciting line-up of artists in our tent in the Mindfield arena...

For more of our EP coverage, see here.